Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jul 2013
Source: Daily Press, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.timminspress.com/letters
Website: http://www.timminspress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1001
Author: Jessica Murphy
Cited: Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.drugpolicy.org/

TRUDEAU PROPOSES LEGALIZING POT

Lots of Opposition to Grit Pot Position

OTTAWA - Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's pot legalization stance may 
be a hit with the Grit grassroots, but not so with the governing 
Conservatives, the pontiff and at least one international ally.

Mexican Foreign Secretary Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena said his 
country is open to an alternative to the war on drugs, but legalizing 
drugs - even pot - isn't on the table for his government.

"We personally don't believe drug legalization is a solution, but we 
welcome (the idea) that a debate should be held around those issues," 
he said during an official visit to Ottawa on Thursday.

Meade Kuribrena was in town to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister 
John Baird. The pair discussed issues such as tourism, trade, the 
economy and transnational crime linked to drugs.

"It's an issue that does not recognize borders, it's an issue that 
must be faced through intelligence, through co-operation, and through 
a perspective that goes beyond one country's policy," he said.

Earlier this week, Trudeau announced he's for legalizing, taxing and 
regulating pot - a shift from his stance during the Liberal 
leadership race when he endorsed its decriminalization. His new 
position was supported by a majority of party members at their 2012 
policy convention.

Trudeau argues government oversight is the best way to keep pot away 
from teens.

"If we control and regulate it, then we have a better way to make 
sure anyone who buys it in a regulated environment is of age to make 
that decision, similar to alcohol or cigarettes. It's an easier way 
to keep it out of the hands of our kids where it does the most harm," 
he said Wednesday at a rally in British Columbia.

The Tories take a tough stance on drugs, including marijuana, and 
aren't interested in changing tack.

"These drugs are illegal because of the harmful effect they have on 
users and on society," a spokesman for Justice Minister Peter MacKay 
said. Mexico and a few Latin American countries have struggled with 
drug-related violence caused by the international narcotics trade.

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, a U. S.- based think-tank 
focused on drug policy reform, over 70,000 people have been killed 
since 2006 in Mexico's drug wars.

But former Mexican president Vincente Fox has turned into an 
outspoken advocate for drug legalization - an idea gaining traction 
in parts of the Americas.

On Thursday in Brazil, Pope Francis warned against that trend, 
arguing it would do more harm than good.

- - with files from Reuters
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom